OT Assistant Salary

Annandale vs Roanoke: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Annandale, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Annandale, VA
$74,874
$35.99/hr
Roanoke, VA
$74,918
$36.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnnandale, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$74,874$74,918
Hourly Rate$35.99$36.01
Entry Level (P10)$55,323$56,535
25th Percentile$64,811$60,555
75th Percentile$81,925$76,306
Top Earner (P90)$91,600$90,277
Total Employed960
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Annandale ($74,874) and Roanoke ($74,918) occupational therapy assistant salaries.AnnandaleRoanokeMedian Salary$74,874$74,918Entry Level (P10)$55,323$56,535Top Earner (P90)$91,600$90,277US Median $74,332

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Annandale.

The salary gap between Annandale and Roanoke is $44 (0.06%). Roanoke's median is +0.79% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Annandale spans $36,277,Roanoke spans $33,742. Annandale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Annandale
P10 (Entry)$55,323
P25$64,811
Median$74,874
P75$81,925
P90 (Top)$91,600
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$56,535
P25$60,555
Median$74,918
P75$76,306
P90 (Top)$90,277

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($80,025 effective) pays 10.30% more than Annandale ($72,552 effective).

Annandale
Nominal: $74,874
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $72,552
Roanoke
Nominal: $74,918
CoL Index: 93.618
Adjusted: $80,025

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Annandale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,600)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,918/year)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,025)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Annandale grew 9.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.4% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Annandale, VA

+9.4%

$66,581 (2024) → $72,828 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+2.4%

$71,130 (2019) → $72,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Annandale or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $74,918/year, compared to Annandale at $74,874/year — a difference of $44 (0.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Annandale and Roanoke?

Annandale occupational therapy assistants earn $35.99/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $36.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Annandale to Roanoke as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Annandale and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Annandale = $72,552, Roanoke = $80,025), job availability (9 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Annandale vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $55,323 in Annandale and $56,535 in Roanoke. The Roanoke area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov